Daylight Saving is this weekend, doctors say start preparing today

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Many people are looking forward to the extra evening daylight as we spring forward this weekend, but some experts say that sudden time change can wreak havoc on our minds and bodies — especially for kids.

Experts say without enough sleep, kids can have a hard time focusing or managing their emotions. Sleep also helps lock in what they learned during the day — sticking it into long-term memory.

That's why doctors recommend preparing about a week in advance by going to bed a little earlier each night.

“I think kids are particularly affected by this. They need sleep. They thrive on sleep, especially the young ones. Even the teenagers. I think the unique thing about daylight saving is not the way our body works,” said Dr. Casey Freymiller, with UW-Health Kids.

Doctors say by adjusting your schedule, losing an hour of sleep won’t be so hard on the mind or body.